Congratulations to Juwariyah Saboor, 1st Grade Teacher at Pimlico Elementary/Middle School, and Brianna Spady, 4th and 5th Grade Teacher at Wolfe Street Academy, on winning the Robert Benjamin Excellence in Direct Instruction Reading Award for the 2024-2025 school year.
This annual award, presented by Baltimore Curriculum Project (BCP), recognizes two outstanding Direct Instruction reading teachers. The award was created and funded by the late Bob Benjamin, a devoted BCP Board member who embraced the power of Direct Instruction (DI), the research-backed reading program used by BCP. In 1996, BCP pioneered the use of DI with Baltimore City Public Schools.
An accomplished journalist and editor, Bob researched effective reading and school improvement models in the 1970’s. He authored a book, which highlighted Zig Engelmann, the founder of DI, and its methods. Read more about Bob’s impact on BCP here.
The award, which includes a cash prize for each winner, celebrates the BCP teacher who takes the power of Direct Instruction and uses it to its full potential. On June 16, 2025, Harold S. Henry, Jr., BCP Chief of Schools, presented the awards to each winner.
Ms. Saboor’s DI Accomplishments:
This past school year at Pimlico, Ms. Saboor had three 1st Grade reading groups, all three of which completed one or more DI reading programs. Among the 25 students she taught, 69.2% met their MAP growth goal, and her average student performance grew from 23.2% to 36.8% – a 13.6 increase!
Pictured left with Mr. Henry and PEMS Principal Nneka Warren.
Ms. Spady DI Accomplishments:
In her Wolfe Street School 4th and 5th classrooms, Ms. Spady completed just over 100 lessons in a DI program with 130 lessons. Of her 12 students, 83.3% met their MAP growth goal for an average student performance grew from 21% to 32.9%, an impressive increase of 11.9.
Pictured center with Mr. Henry and Wolfe Street Principal Mark Gaither.